JLR reports higher February sales

February vehicle sales at Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR), the UK-based luxury car arm of Tata Motors, rose 3 per cent to 26,855 units, compared with the same month last year. During the first two months of the year, JLR sold 61,732 vehicles, marking an 18-per cent rise from that a year ago.

JLR's February sales were up in almost every major market - 20 per cent in Asia Pacific, 20 per cent in North America, 15 per cent in the UK, and 6 per cent in Europe. In China, sales were down by 22 per cent reflecting the Chinese New Year falling in February this year and January last year, the company said in a statement.

For the first two months of the year, JLR has seen strong sales performance across all of its major markets, with increases in Asia Pacific (32 per cent), the UK (30 per cent), North America (22 per cent), China (20 per cent) and Europe (8 per cent).

''Jaguar Land Rover's sales momentum continues with strong sales performance in February across most major markets. In China, our sales were influenced by the New Year celebrations,'' Phil Popham, JLR's Director of Group Sales Operations said.

''We are particularly pleased with Jaguar's sales this month, which have increased by 27 per cent following new product introductions. ''The Land Rover Freelander has seen increased sales of 26 per cent, with an especially strong performance in the UK,'' he added.

In February, Jaguar sold 4,595 vehicles in February (up 27 per cent), with increased sales of the XF (up 37 per cent) and the XJ (up 15 per cent), reflecting new smaller engines and all-wheel drive options as well as the XF Sportbrake.